How to reinstall the .NET Framework

TurboTax 2011 for Windows requires Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0, which is automatically updated through Windows 7 and Windows Vista.

Windows XP may not have .NET Framework 4 installed if you have been getting regular Windows updates.

1. From the Start menu, select Control Panel.
2. Select Uninstall a program, located in the Programs and Features section.
   • Windows XP: Double-click Add or Remove Programs.
3. Wait for the list to load, and then uninstall Microsoft .NET Framework 4.
   • If you cannot uninstall, click here to visit Microsoft employee and .NET expert Aaron Stebner's WebLog and carefully follow his directions to download and run his .NET Framework Cleanup tool.
4. Now download and install Microsoft .NET 4 by clicking here and following the directions.

TurboTax 2010 and 2009 for Windows require Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.

Windows 7

Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 is built into Windows 7, which means it can't be uninstalled or reinstalled. Instead, run the .NET Utility Tool in Advanced mode to repair .NET on a computer running Windows 7.

Windows Vista

1. From the Start menu (the Windows logo), select Control Panel.
2. Select Uninstall a program, located in the Programs and Features section.
3. Uninstall Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5. Also uninstall any .NET Framework version higher than 3.5.
   
   Note: If you cannot uninstall .NET, use the .NET Framework cleanup tool from Aaron Stebner's blog to remove it from your computer. (Don't worry, Aaron Stebner is a Microsoft employee and .NET expert.)
    
4. Download and Install Microsoft .NET 3.5 Service Pack 1. (Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 SP1 is built into Windows Vista, so there is no need to uninstall or reinstall it.)

Windows XP

1. From the Start menu, select Control Panel.
2. Double-click Add or Remove Programs.
3. Uninstall all versions of .NET 2.0 and above. Begin with the highest installed version first. For example, uninstall .NET 3.5, then .NET 3.0, then .NET 2.0
   

   Note: If you cannot uninstall .NET, use the .NET Framework cleanup tool from Aaron Stebner's blog to remove it from your computer. (Don't worry, Aaron Stebner is a Microsoft employee and .NET expert.)

4. Download and Install Microsoft .NET 3.5 Service Pack 1.

Tip: If the .NET installation stops (most often at 3%) try ending all other running programs. To do this, open your Task Manager (press Ctrl+Alt+Del simultaneously) and then click End Task on all applications except the .NET installer and perhaps your browser.

 

TurboTax 2008 for Windows requires Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0.

Follow these steps:

1. From the Start menu, select Control Panel.
2. Double-click Add or Remove Programs.
3. Uninstall .NET 2.0. If a higher version of .NET is installed (e.g., .NET 3.5), uninstall the higher version first, and then uninstall version 2.0.
   

   Note: If you cannot uninstall .NET, use the .NET Framework cleanup tool from Aaron Stebner's blog to remove it from your computer. (Don't worry, Aaron Stebner is a Microsoft employee and .NET expert.)

4. If the .NET v2.050727 folder is present on your computer, rename the folder:
   • Right-click the Start button and then choose Explore. 
   • Browse to C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework.
   • Right-click the v2.0.50727 folder, and then select Rename.

     

   • Type v2.0.50727-OLD, and then press Enter.
     

     

5. Download and Install .NET 2.0 Service Pack 1. If you removed a higher version of .NET (e.g., .NET 3.5), install the higher version instead.
6. Launch and then update TurboTax.